Preparation for the Bowl Judgements – Revelation 15

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #253.  Today we’ll read Revelation chapter 15 together.  This is preparation for the Bowl Judgements.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

A couple of days ago, Mitch said, “Hey, on the subject of gratitude, why don’t you look at your gratitude journal and share a few stories?”  Now, my habit is to leave my gratitude journal open on the counter so I’m reminded regularly to add to it.  But I gotta tell you, I had no idea that Mitch noticed.  I’m certainly surprised that he’s read some of it!  

But he was right.  Not only was the exercise of revisiting my list uplifting, but some treasured memories came vividly to mind.  #24 says this, “The soul-satisfying worship that comes when I sing “It Is Well With My Soul.”  That one I remember well.  It was 2013 and Mitch, Hans, Susie, and I were at the Benedictine Monastery located high in the Lushoto mountains of Tanzania, Africa. 

It was early on a crisp morning, and Susie and I walked to the chapel, which was empty.  We sat quietly, allowing God’s presence to settle over us.  I think Susie asked me what my favorite hymn is and we started singing It Is Well with My Soul.  Now, please understand that I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but somehow, when I sing with Susie, beauty comes out.  The echo of our voices in praise in that place, is a memory for which I will always and forever be grateful.  

This particular list has not reached 1000 yet, but now I am re-energized to habitually write down my many blessings.  His extravagant provision is so much more than I deserve.  Do you keep a gratitude journal?  Let me know at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Revelation Chapter 15

Preparation for the Bowl Judgments

Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues; for with them God’s wrath will be completed. I also saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had won the victory over the beast, its image, and the number of its name, were standing on the sea of glass with harps from God. They sang the song of God’s servant Moses and the song of the Lamb:

Great and awe-inspiring are your works,

Lord God, the Almighty;

just and true are your ways,

King of the nations.

Lord, who will not fear

and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All the nations will come

and worship before you

because your righteous acts

have been revealed.

After this I looked, and the heavenly temple — the tabernacle of testimony — was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes wrapped around their chests. One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. Then the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Closing Thoughts

This chapter is short and more of an intro of what is about to happen.  The seven bowls represent God’s final wrath toward those who reject His gift and will complete the seventh seal.

It’s important to pause here, I think, and point out that faith in Jesus Christ will ultimately provide victory over Satan and his grab for power.  This is scary stuff to read.  My flesh is always right there like that infamous naughty angel on my shoulder to suggest that I’m not quite good enough and I’m probably not saved.  

Don’t let him lie to you.  Rejoice!  We’re not good enough!  But Christ is!  It is finished, He said so.  Oh, and by the way.  The song of Moses is the victory song the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea.  We’ll read that story in the book of Exodus shortly after the beginning of the new year.  Let’s pray.

Prayer

Lord, I can feel the tension rising as we get ready to read of your final wrath.  We look forward to breathing a sigh of relief as we prepare to read of Your new heaven and new earth.  Thank You, Father God, that You have provided a way for us to land securely in Your lap of love.  You are Great and Wonderful!  Amen. 

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.